Matilda the Algonquin Cat Hosts Benefit for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals

On August 2, Matilda, the resident cat at The Algonquin Hotel in midtown Manhattan, hosted the cattiest party of the year — a sold-out feline fashion show and reception to benefit the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. The Alliance is the sole umbrella organization for animal welfare in NYC, working with a coalition of more than 150 rescue groups and shelters to find homes for thousands of NYC’s dogs and cats.

Matilda’s FURiends took part in the feline fashion show, sporting Broadway show-themed outfits designed by Ada Nieves for Pets.

Among the MEWdels decked out in tie and tail were black-and-white Ferrara, who looked stunning in her red satin gown and butterfly clip, paying homage to Chicago. Tabby Cody looked like a rock star in her Rock of Ages outfit, silver-furred Martini masterfully mimicked a character from Hairspray with his red wig, and Lily’s gray fur provided a gorgeous contrast to the white wedding gown she donned as a nod to a scene in Mamma Mia. You can see these and other participating MEWdels here.

Also on hand (paw?) was Vito Vincent, a true Broadway star. For most cats, being adopted and becoming the star of their forever family is success enough. But Vito has gone even farther. Since being adopted from Bideawee, Vito has starred in Broadway’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s and has also made numerous appearances on television.

Tara the Hero Cat came to support the event as well. Tara became a media sensation earlier this year when a video of her saving a young boy from an attack by a dog went viral.

The fundraiser also included a raffle with many products that had been generously donated by a wide variety of suppliers, including Sergeant’s Pet Care Products.

Outside the hotel, before and during the event, cute kittens and fetching puppies were available for adoption from Bobbi and the Strays, an Alliance Participating Organization (APO).

Matilda the Algonquin Cat, herself, is a rescue cat. She is actually the latest in a long line of rescue cats to live in the hotel. The tradition of an Algonquin Hotel cat began in the late 1930s when a hungry stray wandered into the lobby and was taken in by hotel staff.

Hotel staff have been looking out for cats ever since. Alice De Almeida, the hotel’s current Executive Assistant to the General Manager — and Chief Cat Officer — worked tirelessly (with Matilda) to make this year’s event the cat’s meow. “We are so grateful to all the wonderful people who volunteer their time, creativity, felines, products, etc.,” she said. “It is a team effort to raise donations and awareness that adoption is the only option. There are so many furry kids out there that need FURever homes.”

“The Mayor’s Alliance is grateful to Alice, Matilda, and everyone at The Algonquin Hotel for hosting this fundraiser and for their efforts to raise awareness about the needs of shelter animals,” said Jane Hoffman, President and Founder of the Alliance.

If you missed this year’s event, you can still make a donation — and, any day is a great day to adopt a cat or dog.